Wanda J. (Lawrence) Simpson

October 27, 1935 – December 24, 2019

In the presence of her loving children, Wanda Jeanette Simpson, age 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2019. Wanda was born October 27, 1935, in Appleton, Arkansas, to the late Ida Mae Lawrence (nee Stroud) and Lester Lawrence. She was also a step-daughter of the late Myrtie Lawrence. She was the devoted wife of 56 years to the late Richard A. Simpson and the beloved mother of three children: son Richard E. (Paula) Simpson; daughter Ruth Ann (Breck) Washam; and daughter Leah Anne (Keith) DeBold. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Michael, Sara, Bryan, and Emma Simpson; Landon, Taylor, and Blake Washam; Mitchel and Peyton DeBold. Wanda was the ninth of ten siblings including the late Kermit (Jenny), Inez (Johnny), Jim (Lou), Carrie (Claude), Norman (Joyce), Fred (Marilou), and Pat (Robert). She is survived by her sisters Marilyn (Jay-deceased) Shipley and Leta (Lindsay-deceased) Wise.

Wanda graduated from Kewanee High School in Kewanee, Missouri, in 1954 and was the class valedictorian. She then went on to Southeast Missouri State University where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career in 1957 and was a teacher in the Fox C-6 School District for a total of 37 years, having taught at Sherwood Elementary for over 30 years. She met Richard A. Simpson while teaching in the Fox C-6 School District and they married December 26, 1961. She also received her Masters degree in Education from Webster University in 1979.

Wanda also taught as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout Den Leader, as a Sunday School teacher, and in Vacation Bible School (VBS). Wanda retired from the Fox C-6 School District in 1999. Wanda continued teaching and helping others even after “retiring” and she enjoyed teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to individuals (even those on her Memory Care floor for the last several years!). She made learning fun and left an indelibly positive footprint on the many students, parents, and teachers she came in contact with throughout her career and many have sought her later in their “grownup” lives to thank her for her significant influence.

She was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators, the C-6 Educational Foundation, Friends of Jefferson County Library, Jefferson County University of Missouri Extension Board, Alpha Chi Omega, and St. Mark United Church of Christ in Arnold. She was honored as Educator of the Year by Rotary Club and received the Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s Don Earl Citizen of the Year Award for her community service.

Wanda had a tremendous influence on her late husband Richard E. Simpson and was the “wind beneath his wings” – supporting him and his many accomplishments and achievements in the Fox C-6 School District and in the Arnold and Jefferson County communities.

Wanda was a fun-loving adventurer and loved to travel (especially to New York City!), host and entertain family and friends, and cook and bake food items (especially cookies during the holiday season!). She also loved gardening in her flower garden, doing puzzles and stitchwork, poetry, and spending time with her traveling friends and retired teacher friends.

Wanda loved and cherished her family and all her many dear friends more than anything. She was a huge GIVER – of herself, her time, her treasures, and her talents – and was always thinking of others before herself. Her legacy will live on in the memories of many and she will be greatly missed.

A visitation for Wanda will be held Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125. An additional visitation will occur Friday, December 27, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, at First Free Church, 1375 Carman Rd., Ballwin, MO, 63021. A funeral service will be on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at First Free Church, 1375 Carman Rd., Ballwin, MO 63021. Both the additional visitation and the funeral service on Friday will be held in the Chapel in lieu of Main Sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Wanda’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association ( www.alz.org ) and the C-6 Educational Foundation:

(https://www.fox.k12.mo.us/programs/c-6_educational_foundation).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/arnold-mo/heiligtag-lang-fendler-funeral-home/4306 for the Simpson family.